kermes

 
Pronunciation: /ˈkəːmɪz/

noun

  • 1 [mass noun] a red dye obtained from the crushed dried bodies of a female scale insect, used for colouring fabrics and manuscripts.
  • 2 (oak kermes) the scale insect from which kermes is obtained, forming berry-like galls on the kermes oak.
    • Kermes illicis, family Eriococcidae, suborder Homoptera

Origin:

late 16th century (denoting the kermes oak): from French kermès, from Arabic qirmiz; related to crimson